Why This Couple Chose UNION for their Kansas City Wedding

July 19, 2023

During the search for their perfect wedding venue, Erin and Matt stumbled upon UNION and fell in love with the historical architecture. UNION’s location — both downtown Kansas City and the center of the United States — was ideal for their guests coming from all over the country.

Neon sign on a brick wall reading "The Milburns"

Erin is very detailed and planned out most of her vision on her own, but knew that she wanted to be fully present on her wedding day. To ensure that she would be, the couple hired UNION’s day-of coordination service to bring Erin’s vision to life.

Despite being very involved in the planning, Erin trusted UNION Planner Madison’s expertise completely, and even labeled her timeline: “Listen to whatever Madison says – she knows best.”

The couple got ready for the day offsite and took photos around the city.

The first photo op was arranged by Erin to play a joke on Matt. Instead of Erin being there when Matt turned around to see his bride for the first time, he came face to face with Big Jay, the mascot from his alma mater, the University of Kansas. Matt was so surprised and loved the joke.

A groom on his wedding day turning around to see his college mascot instead of his bride as a surprise.

A groom on his wedding day laughing when he sees his college mascot instead of his bride.

A bride and groom on their wedding day posing for a photo with the groom's college mascot, Big Jay from the University of Kansas.

After Erin and Matt’s real first look, the wedding party continued to take photos at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

A bride and groom smiling at each other for wedding photos.

A bride with her bridesmaids wearing pale green dresses surrounded by a wall of greenery.

A bride and groom posing for wedding day photos against a greenery wall.

Back at UNION, Madison and their vendors had set up for their beautiful ceremony and reception.

UNION’s exposed brick paired with tons of candles throughout the space created the moody ambiance that the couple had envisioned.

A bride and groom standing at the altar on their wedding day at UNION in Kansas City, Missouri.

A bride getting ready to walk down the aisle on her wedding day at UNION in Kansas City, Missouri.

For dinner, guests enjoyed wood-fired oven pizza catered by 1889 Pizza.

After dinner and first dances, guests headed down to the first floor for a surprise dessert: Betty Rae’s Ice Cream truck! Instead of a traditional wedding cake, the couple opted to show their guests a Kansas City staple!

A bride and groom standing inside a mobile ice cream truck.

A mobile ice cream truck, Betty Rae's, parked outside of UNION in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

The final surprise of the day was a fireworks display that Kansas City put on as part of the Fourth of July weekend festivities. Erin, Matt, and their guests were able to watch the show right from UNION’s rooftop, and it was the perfect way to wrap up the evening.